The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-08-20
The THREE S0NS-IN-LAW.
A RUSSIAN FOLK TALE.

Many fairy tale and legend has been
brought from various countries. This
time Russia furnishes story. 1t will
amuse and please the children, I am
sure: but trust it will be characteristic
enough to interest grown people, too.
Once upon time there was an old man,
and an old woman who had three uncom-
monty pretty daughters. 1t happened
that the old man went out into the fields
to pillow. 1t was spring. The whole sky
was covered with clouds, and the old man
shivered violently.
"Ah," he said, sit would be very accom-
modating in the sun if he would do me
the favor to shine out from behind the
clouds a little while I'm an honest man,
and as one good turn deserves another,
the sun needn't do it for mere thank
you just peep out; and, when I am
warm, what shall 1 give you in return?
I'll give you my eldest daughter, Sjubos-
cha"
When the sun heard this, he felt go de-
lighted that he laughed for joy, stretched
himself, and bent forward to look down
on the old man. But just as his gentle
eyes rested upon him, the peasants eld-
est daughter came up to bring her father
his dinner.
"Well, little daughter" said the old
man, 81 have just given you to the sun.
He'll be a good husband. Live peace
fully with him and don't forgot u.s."
"Many thanks, little father"
eve respectfully ask you to visit u.s."
said the son-in.law.
When the old man returned home, his
wife asked
"Where is our daughters"
give married her off,"
"To whom?"
"To the sum-"
"Well, God be praised"
Shortly after, the old man went out to
fell trees; and as the place was tolerably
far away, night overlook him, and it
grew so dark that he could not see his
own hand.
"Ah" he exclaimed, sit would be very
kind in the moon il he would do me the
service to begin to shine little. I'm an
honest fellow, and one good turn deserves
another. So the moon needn't do it for
merely thank you just shine out;
and, when it is light around me, what
shall give you? I'll give you my Sec
ond daughter, Matsjoscha."
When the moon heard this, he was de !.
lighted, laughed all over his face. as the
full moon can, bent forward to shine on
the old peasant, and poured the brightest
light upon the way, so that he should not
stumble over the stumps and trunks of
trees, fall into the black water, or be led
astray by will-o'-the- wisps and other hob
COLLINS.
Then the second daughter came along.
She had been looking for mushrooms
ano had lost her way.
swell, little daughter" said the old
man. "I've just given you to the friendly
moon for his wife. He'll be a good
husband. Live peacefully with him and
don't forget u.s.
"Many thanks, little father"
1--WE most respectfully beg you to visit
u.s." said the son-in-law.
When the old man went home, his
wife asked
"Where is our daughter?"
Tve married her of"
"To whom?"
"To the moon"
swell, God be praised"
Soon after, the old man went out into
the meadow to cut hay. There was not
cloud in the sky; and it was so hot that
the Precipitation rolled in big drops down
his forehead, and the scythe dropped from
his hand.
Sab" he said, sit would be very kiud of
the wind, if he would do me the favor to
blow little to cool me. I'm an honest man,
and one good turn deserves another. So
the wind needn't do it for mere thank,
you No; blow just little while; and,-
when l am cool what shall give you? I'll
give you my youngest daughter, Teklus-
cha"
The wind was delighted, pulled out his
cheeks, and blew on the old man so that
it was pleasure to feel the cool breeze.
Just as he was blowing his best, the
youngest daughter came with her faith
er's breakfast.
"Well, little daughter" said the old
man, "Ive just given you to the obliging
wind for his wife. He'll make you a
good husband. Live peacefully with him
and don't forget u.s."